Andrew Tillman, a fifth-year student in the BArch program, was recently elected to the 69th AIAS Board of Directors in the role of Secretary\/Treasurer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The position plays a vital internal role, overseeing the AIAS operational budget with the Executive Director, recording Board meeting minutes, chairing the Finance Committee, and maintaining the AIAS Board of Directors Drive. The Secretary \/ Treasurer also works with each AIAS chapter to help connect them with resources and support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a full voting member of the board, Tillman is most looking forward to representing architecture students\u2019 voices across the globe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI wanted to run to have the opportunity to push the voices of students. I think it\u2019s important for students to push design and to voice their opinions,\u201d Tillman said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Advocating for students has been a through line in Tillman\u2019s college career, embodied in a variety of leadership roles with the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tillman served as SARUP\u2019s 2023 AIAS chapter president, followed by his current one-year term as Midwest Quadrant Director for 2024. In that role, Tillman helps roughly 50 Midwest chapters connect with resources available through the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAt SARUP, we have a very good connection with AIA in Wisconsin, and that allows us to access sponsorships through firms and other professional networking opportunities,\u201d Tillman said. \u201cWhen I got in the Midwest Quad director role, I found that a lot of chapters don\u2019t have strong connection, or they don\u2019t know who\u2019s leading their AIA component.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tillman has worked hard to connect chapters so students can benefit fully from the organization. He hopes to do the same on a much larger scale with his new role, with 250 chapters within his reach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think that\u2019s really valuable to have a connection to the profession, as well as having students relate to professionals to help get jobs. You can be a great student, but I think really getting out there and meeting with professionals is what helps you flourish as a student. Knowing what careers are out there is important.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tillman knows firsthand how influential connections can be for young people. His introduction to the architecture field started as a high school student in Woodstock, Illinois, when he took a civil engineering and architecture course. While designing a library and house, he recognized he has a real passion for design. His teacher noticed, too. He encouraged him to continue with another second class, even giving him a special design project assignment to complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s when I really knew I wanted to do this,\u201d he recalled. \u201cSo, I applied to UWM. It\u2019s the only school I applied to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Advocating for students isn\u2019t likely to end when Tillman graduates. As an intern at Zimmerman Architecture Students, Tilllman has been working on designing schools for K12 and higher education, along with places of worship. Recently, he accepted a full-time job at the firm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His first day is the day after graduation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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